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Greater Scaup: female

Aythya marila

Description:

Hoping someone can help me determine whether this is Greater or Lesser Scaup.

Habitat:

Wetland: Cockroach Bay FL

1 Species ID Suggestions

Fyn Kynd
Fyn Kynd 11 years ago
Greater Scaup, (female).
Aythya marila Greater Scaup


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6 Comments

ceherzog
ceherzog 11 years ago

I've read the definitions & characteristics over & over....I'll leave it open for awhile longer, hopefully to gather more evidence for Greater....that would be a life bird for me. Thanks all for responding.

Fyn  Kynd
Fyn Kynd 11 years ago

I'll throw in another vote for Greater Scaup...

Jacob Gorneau
Jacob Gorneau 11 years ago

Lovely! The video is nice too! It looks like the Scaup is swimming backwards!

I agree with what Liam says but Greater has a longer black "nail" at the tip of the bill going by my book so that plus location suggest Lesser is more likely. The Drakes are easier to tell in the right light as the Greater has a greener head, like a Mallard while the lesser is much darker. Again, all this is from my book. Like the last second of the video!

ceherzog
ceherzog 11 years ago

That's what I'm thinking Liam...and hoping! Thanks

Liam
Liam 11 years ago

Lesser is the expected species, but head shape suggests Greater, Aythya marila.

ceherzog
Spotted by
ceherzog

Florida, USA

Spotted on Nov 18, 2012
Submitted on Nov 18, 2012

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